Herbert and Darnold each throw early interceptions as Chargers fall behind Seahawks
On October 4, 2026, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was intercepted on the very first play of the game against the Seattle Seahawks, and one play later Seattle’s Sam Darnold threw his own interception, marking the first time in NFL history both starting quarterbacks have been picked off on the opening two plays.
The unprecedented sequence immediately drew league‑wide attention, highlighting the shaky start to the Chargers’ season and underscoring the Seahawks’ reputation as the league’s top defense, which had already tied for the most interceptions at four.
Seattle capitalized quickly, with Darnold rebounding by delivering two touchdown passes that helped the Seahawks surge to a 27‑6 advantage. In contrast, Herbert struggled to find rhythm, suffering a second interception later in the game and mustering only 36 passing yards by midway through the third quarter.
Herbert’s difficulties are part of a broader pattern; he has recorded at least one interception in every game this season and his total rose to six after the two picks in Seattle. His completion rate sits at 59 percent with a 27.8 QBR, the second‑lowest among quarterbacks, and the Chargers rank near the bottom in offensive efficiency, EPA per play, and scoring average.
The offensive line’s performance has compounded the woes, ranking 27th in pass‑block win rate and allowing eight sacks and 34 quarterback hits for Herbert, the fourth‑most in the league. These protection issues have contributed to the Chargers’ low scoring output of 14.7 points per game, placing them 31st in EPA per play.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ defensive unit continued to showcase its strength, maintaining the No. 1 ranking and limiting opposing quarterbacks to under 200 passing yards in a game. Their aggressive pass rush and disciplined secondary forced the historic back‑to‑back turnovers and kept the Chargers’ offense off balance.
Los Angeles remains winless after three games and is still seeking its first victory as it faces a demanding schedule. The Chargers will need to address both protection gaps and Herbert’s decision‑making if they hope to rebound in their next matchup.
